The North Rajasthan Region

As home to both the Thar Desert and the Aravalli Mountains, the North Rajasthan Region is a study in contrasts. The same can be said for its culturally diverse mix of people, each with their own colorful customs, culture, music, dialects and cuisine.

The region is also home to some of the state’s historical forts and magnificent palaces, making it a popular tourist destination for people from around the world.

Many make their living as farmers, producing crops like wheat, barley, sugarcane, corn and oil seeds. Cotton and tobacco are also common cash crops. Other people are nomads�"herding sheep and camels across the dusty trails that cover the region. Tens of thousands also work in the manufacturing industries, producing everything from cement to chemicals to cloth.

No matter what their background, the people who live in North Rajasthan are intensely religious, and most homes have at least one area set aside for worship of their traditional gods.